Happy Birthday 1 Randy Popa 17 Elizabeth Evans 2 Natalie Shellhorn 17 Debbie Labay 2 Sarah George 17 Robbie Starkey 2 Hannah Gibson 17 Charlie Thompson 4 Carlene Fulton 18 Reid Yoder 4 Yvonne Smerick 18 Olivia Porter 4 Tom Cadotte 20 Brian McCarty 8 Chris Congeni 21 Holly Strachan 8 Jamie Watson 23 David Brinkman 9 Don Tonn 24 Karen Kronenberger 9 Jerry Gould 24 Earl Evans 9 Avery Koehler 26 Bob Heydorn 10 Mario Muratori 26 Ann Congeni 10 Amy Furukawa 27 Landon Koehler 12 Cathy Morrison 28 Roger Stewart 13 Lynn Hastman 29 Lauren Jones 13 Judy Kotick 30 Deedra Zwisler 14 Kate Johnson 30 Tim Keller 16 Katie Ward 31 Diane Bray Inside this Issue Anniversaries 2 Birthdays 2 Christian Life Formation 4 Circuit Forum Rep. 7 Facilities Team Update 7 FLC Endowment Fund 9 FLCS Thrivent 9 Human Care 10 June Financial Report 8 Parish Arts Update 6 Pastor s Page 3 School Ministry 5 Stewardship 7 Thank You Notes 6 Thrivent 8 June Attendance 1 10:30am 203 8 9:00am 170 11:00am 78 15 9:00am 196 11:00am 39 22 9:00am 176 11:00am 77 29 9:00am 160 11:00am 84 Presentation of the 2014 Mission Trip August 17th, 10-11am Happy Anniversary 1 Tim & Heather Keller 14 Gene & Ann Fiocca 3 Jeff & Nancy Markle 18 Rev. James & Claire Gau 5 Rob & Leighann Krenz 18 Art & Carol Weitzel 6 Mike & Becky Rusyniak 19 David & Lisa Stouffer 8 Rev. Larry & Judy Leuthaeuser 22 Walter & Kate Johnson 9 Dave & Joanne Kohlmeier 28 Rev. Charles & Ellie Lentner 9 Art & Nicole Preiksa 28 Dante & Sandra Cannata 10 Ron & Paula Stuecher 29 Fred & Bonnie Damerow 11 Floyd & Bernadette McMullen 30 Andy & Joyce Morton 11 Mark & Melissa Ludwig Through the Wing as Eagles Ministries 12 youth and 13 adults ranging in ages from 13 to 70 traveled to southwestern South Dakota. There they provided the hope of Christ and relief to the Lakota Native Americans. Please join us in the fellowship hall for a light brunch and presentation of the 2014 Intergenerational Mission Trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. September Connection Newsletter Articles due by Aug. 18 to Kim at kim.hornyak@fairlawnlutheran.org Mailing is Thurs., Aug. 21 P A G E 2
PASTOR S PAGE Dog Days in August What do you do when you are in a waiting room? Browse through some magazines, read a book, day dream or do some people watching? We often find ourselves in waiting rooms of various kinds. We might be in a real waiting room or we might be in a waiting room of our own making. When we are in a waiting room ours lives seem like they are put on hold. We have finished what we were doing and we re waiting to get on to the next project or activity. So, waiting can be pretty boring. August is perhaps the most boring month of the year. Some call it dog days. Too hot to do much, no holidays, summer vacations are winding down. Even children are getting bored with summer and looking forward to the start of a new school year. Imagine that! Many people might be tempted to say let s just get August over so we can go on to better and bigger things. Life is sometimes like that. We often find ourselves in between. We may have just finished one project and are waiting to take on the next one. When someone asks us what we re doing we may answer just waiting. In the Bible the terms wait or waiting can mean many things. Some of these include: wait quietly, wait and watch, wait patiently, wait impatiently or wait with hope and expectation. The bottom line is that God has given us each day as an opportunity to rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24) and use it in the best way we can to bring honor to God and blessings to others. Since each day is a gift from God there is really no such thing as a useless, boring, dog day unless we choose to make it that! As God s children by grace through faith in Jesus, we are stewards or managers of all that God has entrusted to us time, money, talents, skills, relationships, work and so much more. Good stewards seek to use all that they are and have according to the will of the Owner who is God. As St. Paul wrote to the Galatians: Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:10 NIV) In this way, we let our lights shine before men, so that they may see our good works and praise our Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 NIV) So, fellow redeemed, there is really no such thing as a boring hour, day, week or month for us. Time and resources are God s gifts to us to use. With the Lord s blessing let s make the most of our time as well as all of life and life s resources. In the dog days of August, remember God s blessings to you in Christ. Also remember God s Church at Fairlawn in your prayers, with your talents and in your time. Peace in Christ, Pastor Gau P A G E 3
CHRISTIAN LIFE FORMATION VBS 2014 130 Kids attended Over 40 volunteers 15 Bibles given out Over 120 parents and kids came to the Thursday evening event $300.00+ was raised for Emily, who lives in China, to attend school next year. Let s R.O.C.K., Club 58, and Collision... Resumes on Sunday, September 7 th and Wed. 10 th, 2014. Look the FLCS website in mid-august for more information. at Confirmation parent meeting will be held September 3, 2014 beginning at 6:00pm for parents of students 5th 8th grade. P A G E 4
Lutheran School Moments By: School Ministry Director, Karla McDivitt 2014-2015 School Year Needs & Wish List Items Ministry needs: Volunteer Music and Art teacher for kindergarten once a week~ On our wish list for the classrooms: Commercial vacuum x 2 $120 each Home center rug $45.00 Car or My Town rug $45.00 Cabinet $99 Kindly contact me for more information at: karla.mcdivitt@fairlawnlutheran.org or call me at 330-864-7724 or stop me at church Acme receipts will be collected beginning at the end of September through the end of February. Kindly place your receipts in the middle slot of the wooden box in the fellowship hall (near the nursery). Our School Ministry receives a 5% return on Acme store brands! Last school year we earned over $750.00! Thanks for helping! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kindergarten begins August 27th Preschool begins September 3rd Your support and prayers are always appreciated! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ With your generosity, we helped 7 students attend our school ministry last year; here is one thank you: A M E N C O R N E R Little did I know 3 years ago when we looked into FLS that we would find such an educational and more importantly spiritual treasure! The benefits that Layla has had from attending we will be reaping for years to come. I am so pleased she was able to receive such a solid foundation rooted in faith! We will never be able to thank you enough for the scholarships and tuition help that made those 3 years possible. I praise God for this school and church. We will miss you greatly. Sincerely, Holly Badar We look forward to helping more students this fall. P A G E 5
Parish Arts Ministry Meeting New Members Welcome Tuesday, August 26, 6:00 pm Members will meet to collate annual concert information, to be mailed to church members, friends and sponsors. The new 2014-2015 concert series brochure, a letter explaining sponsorship and a donation envelope will be placed in envelopes requiring an address label and return address stamp. To prepare the mailing is a big job, and we need lots of help. New members are welcome to join us and also help with the planning of the 2015-2016 concert season. This year s first concert is on Sunday, October 19, SINGERS COMPANYE - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19 4 PM - Directed by Dr. Samuel Gordon when a new group to our Parish Arts Series will perform, under the direction of Dr. Samuel Gordon from the University of Akron. The Singers Companye is Northeast Ohio s stunning chamber Choir. Their concerts are sound mosaics with a variety of music. An Italian motet from the 16th century is woven into a collage of spirituals, Romantic art songs or popular poignant ballads. Expect to be thrilled by their stunning juxtapositions of sound. Mark the date on your calendar and invite your friends. Refreshments follow in the Fellowship Hall. A free-will offering will be taken. Dear Friends at FLCS, THANK YOU! Our family would like to thank you for all of your prayers for Jack during his illness. We appreciated your thoughts and prayers as a family. Thanks go to all who worked in the kitchen for our luncheon. Also to our organist, Gary, who as usual did his very best. Thank you to Ian and Andrea for their Amazing Grace! And last, but not least, to Pastor Jim for his message of hope, peace and mercy to our family. My new address is 129 Summerlight Dr. Murrells Inlet, SC 29576. My cell phone number is 330-858-7598. In Christian Love, Betty Drews and Children THANK YOU! Thanks to everyone that remembered me with their cards, calls, flowers, etc. on my recent birthday. I have said it before, and I say it again, you are the most loving church family that anyone could have. K. Pinter P A G E 6
CIRCUIT FORUM REPRESENTATIVE In preparation for the 2015 District (June 17-20, 2015) and 2016 Synod conventions, our congregation must appoint a Circuit Forum Representative. The lay representative will serve with Pastor Gau at a circuit forum prior to the District convention then also represent Fairlawn at the conventions. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the District and Synod and what the larger Church does. Bob Fischer has served in this capacity for many years but is willing to step aside if another member is interested. Please contact Dave Glass or Pastor Gau if you would like to be considered. FACILITIES TEAM UPDATE Your finance team and council have authorized us to commence work on several needed construction projects between June 23 rd and August 15 th. Those projects are: 1. Repair of the south roof 2. Painting of our entrance canopy, downspouts and cross on the front lawn 3. Replacement of the access door to the steeple 4. Excavation of the south courtyard to include repair of the south wall, collapsed drain lines, and addition of catch basins, waterproofing of the walls, excavation of the courtyard to re-route water flow away from the church structure and repair of downspouts 5. Leveling of the concrete around the south entrance 6. Excavation of the west north west land east of the creek to re-route water flow away from the building and north parking lot; excavation of the north boundary of the north parking lot to improve proper water flow away from the church and parking lot 7. Parking lot and driveway repair and resurface 8. Landscaping to repair grounds. Please be patient with us as we are certain to have disruptions to our traffic patterns and entrance ways. We will do everything possible to minimize these issues but rest assured they will be short lived and well worth the inconvenience when they are completed. We do plan to have everything completed before the start of the school year. If you have any questions feel free to contact Bob Stroupe. Thank you in advance for your understanding. COMMING SOON... LIVING EACH DAY AS A STEWARD! Stewardship... yes it's near that time again when in the Fall we will have our annual pledge campaign for the FLCS budget. But, this year's campaign, "Living Each Day as a Steward" will focus on our Time, our Talent and our Treasure... and, on a daily basis... not just once a year. We will learn our identity and purpose as God s stewards. As a result, we can live each day as stewards. When God s grace and love fill our hearts and minds, our stewardship is not limited to specific acts, but, instead, becomes a lifestyle. We express our faith in the way we live our lives. Watch for more information on this exciting program! P A G E 7
Talk to your aging parents before it s too late Talking to your parents about care giving, end-of-life issues and their wishes is important, but many people put it off because they don t know how to begin the conversation. Reduce the stress by starting the discussion with something non-threatening, like the location of important information and documents, rather than talking about their contents. Start by taking a financial inventory, which should be updated annually. The inventory should include: Income $289,316 Expense $303,466 Budget Exp $282,528 NOTE: All data for Operations from Treasurer's Report Data for Building Fund from Financial Secretary Report JUNE FINAINCIAL REPORT FINANCIAL ACTIVITY REPORT OPERATIONS BUILDING FUND Month of June, 2014 Income $56,295 $6,239 Cash Expenses $61,328 $7,837 Net Cash Income / (Loss) ($5,033) ($1,598) Year-to-Date Income $289,316 $38,606 Cash Expenses $303,466 $47,025 Net Cash Income / (Loss) ($14,150) ($8,419) $310,000 $300,000 $290,000 $280,000 $270,000 THRIVENT YTD OPERATIONS BUDGET 6/30/14 Income Expense Budget Exp YTD Legal documents: property deeds, wills, trusts, living wills, health care and financial directives, and birth, marriage and military discharge certificates. Contact information: attorneys, accountants, financial planners, physicians and anyone else who provides financial, legal or medical advice and care. Current account information: type, number and institution for all financial accounts, including checking, savings, retirement, investment, plus loans and insurance contracts. Get financial guidance to help you prepare for the future. Contact Brian or Stephanie McCarty, Financial Consultant, CFP at (330)668-4720 or brian.mccarty@thrivent.com or stephanie.mccarty@thrivent.com today, or visit Thrivent.com. There you ll find helpful information and resources to help you prepare for the future, including a checklist to help start the talk with your aging parents. P A G E 8
FLCS THRIVENT Family Fun Swim and Picnic Event The Thrivent Summit-Portage Chapter will host a swim and picnic event at Monroe Falls Metro Park on Sunday, August 17 from 11am to 8pm. Hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, veggies, cookies, brownies and beverages will be provided from noon to 4pm. Tickets are $4 for those age 13 and above and $3 for kids age 2-12. Order tickets by sending your check made out to Thrivent Financial Summit-Portage Chapter and mail to Lorna Henderson, 1222 Grovewood Drive, Tallmadge, OH 44278. For information, contact Lorna at 330-414-0208. Akron Zoo Event Thrivent s Summit-Portage Chapter will offer a day at the Akron Zoo on Saturday, October 14. Mark your calendar for this event details will follow. For questions or assistance regarding Thrivent and FLC Thrivent Choice grants, contact the FLC Thrivent Lead Congregational Advocate, Jim Kroeger, at civicadvantage@gmail.com or 330-864-8389. FAIRLAWN LUTHERAN CHURCH ENDOWMENT FUND Established in 2007, the FLC Endowment Foundation exists to support outreach projects of FLC with money given by members whose donations become part of a permanent fund. Started with an $18,000 gift from the estate of Martha Henry and supported with additional gifts totaling $6,500 the value of the fund grew to $33,562.88 as of 12/31/2013. 4% of the year-end balance is allocated each year for projects that could include missions, education, youth activities, worship, music and other endeavors that help us share our love and faith in Jesus Christ. $1,342 is available for grants this year. Donations to the Endowment Foundation will create a living legacy for all who participate. Contributions in any amount are welcomed and encouraged. They can be made as a memorial to a loved one, to celebrate a special occasion or to honor an individual. They can be made directly or as part of your estate planning. The Foundation is managed by an elected board and any of us would be glad to answer your questions. We would also welcome your participation if you would like to serve on the board. Linda Liesem, Alice Strickler, Becky Leu, Bob Fischer, Jim Kroeger, Lori Hoffman, Walt Yoder Projects funded by the Endowment Foundation: 2011 $150 to Josh Hoffman for a Boy Scout project to renovate of the Camp Manatoc Chapel $500 to the School Ministry for children s Bibles for Asia and kindergarteners $300 to CLT for publicity for The Well $100 to Prayer Shawl Ministry 2012 $500 for School Feasibility Study $530 to Kim Hornyak for tuition for Certified Lay Ministry course 2013 $750 for Bok reconciliation $400 to CLT for stained glass event 2014 $650 for Food Truck Event P A G E 9
HUMAN CARE ~ JACQUIE KYLE AUGUST MISSION OF THE MONTH: SCHOOL SUP- PLIES FOR CHILDREN OPEN M SERVES. WHAT: Any school supplies: pencils, pens, paper, crayons, colored pencils, notebooks, scissors, glue all supplies welcome! WHEN: Now through August 31. WHERE: Place supplies in Human Care Box in Fellowship Hall. HOW: Through the generous caring of our FLCS members and friends. FOR: This year the supplies will be passed out to all the participants in the OPEN M year-round educational programs: 3-5 years old (BUILDING BLOCKS - KIN- DERGARTEN READINESS PRO- GRAM); and teens up through high school in the Youth Alive@M 2 Program. BE SURE TO CHECK THE ADS local stores have already started special bargains on school supplies. Don t miss out! Thank you! Update on BUILDING BLOCKS PROGRAM: OPEN M ended their 2 nd school year by sending 9 of their BUILDING BLOCKS children to Kindergarten! The children have been given many tools to help them succeed next school year. They are attending OPEN M Summer Camp in July. Youth Alive@M 2 : 11 teenage members participated in the OPEN M Walk for Kids. See the Mission Tower story, Youth now have a second family and a place to belong. VOLUNTEER (OR 2) NEEDED: TO DELIVER SCHOOL SUPPLIES & DO- NATED FOOD TO OPEN M ON SEPTEMBER 3 OR 4, BE- TWEEN 8:30AM AND 5PM. Contact Jacquie Kyle, 330-666- 5725, jmkyle@msn.com, for further information. THANK YOU! OPEN M LUNCH HELP! On Tuesday, August 19, from 10:30am-2pm, we need at least 10-12 helpers for our 4th free hot lunch at OPEN M this year. In June, meals at OPEN M averaged 300, 325 with seconds! We will plan to prepare for up to 325 people, including the BUILDING BLOCKS 3-5 year olds and their teachers. No food is ever wasted. Any extra food will immediately be taken to Haven of Rest to feed some more hungry people! Check the Mission Tower for signup to help prepare/ serve, and/or make or buy cookies provided for dessert. (Food is budgeted for, dessert is not.) 30 dozen cookies are needed. We really need your help (and/or cookies)! It s good fun and fellowship and provides poor and hungry people a good lunch. No experience necessary, just a loving heart and willing hands! Join us! Questions: contact Jacquie Kyle, 330-666-5725, jmkyle@msn.com. THANK YOU for all the food donated in July for Haven of Rest! Our nonperishable food collection for August is for OPEN M FOOD PANTRY. Please place food in the box inside the church front door. Julie Carneal at OPEN M wrote us a note thanking us for the 87 pounds of food our congregation donated in June. Sometimes when we are generous in small, barely detectable ways it can change someone else s life forever. (Margaret Cho). I see this every day in the pantry and it s all because of you. You impact this community more than you know. Be sure to check out the Haven of Rest Ministries newsletter, Voice, posted on the Mission Tower, and read 2014 Summer of Hope (July). Read about one resident intern s surrendering to Christ; Rev. Jeff Kaiser s article about all of people s needs, and he quotes 2Timothy 4:2 We are to preach the Word, ready in season and out of season to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with great patience and instruction; The Seniors (bike) Riding with a Mission on September 17-19; Children staying at Harvest Home (recently 30, 8 under 18 months old) in summer through Project Rise which helps them grow, learn, and enjoy; and the recent (indoor) Community Picnic which served over 850 guests! SEE THE WGC- BRIDGESTONE AND HELP HAVEN OF REST: TICKETS FORE CHARITY JULY 30-AUGUST 3, 2014 FIRESTONE C.C. ALL DAY GROUNDS TICKET: $20 (reg. price $45). WEEKLY GROUNDS TICKET: $70 (reg. price $95). For tickets or more information contact Mike Solosky at 330-535-1563 or email at msolosky@havenof rest.org. Haven of Rest Charity Code: GRIP14 (all caps). P A G E 1 0
Fairlawn Lutheran Church & School August 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 9:30am FAA 2 3 10:00am Adult Bible Study 10:00am Collision 4 6:30pm Admin Team Mtg 5 9:30am Staff Meeting 6:00pm Evangelism Team Mtg. 6:30pm Facilities Team Mtg 7:00pm Prayer Ministry 8:00pm AA 6 6:30am Men s Bible Study - Bob Evans 9:30am Mom s of Faith Bible Study 7:00pm Finance Team Mtg. 7 1:30pm Prayer Shawl Mtg 8 9:30am FAA 9 10 10:00am Adult Bible Study 10:00am Collision 4:00pm Sing Fest at Seville Presbyterian 11 9:00am School Staff Meeting & Luncheon 6:30pm School Ministry Board Mtg 12 9:30am Staff Meeting 7:00pm Prayer Ministry 8:00pm AA 13 6:30am Men s Bible Study - Bob Evans 9:30am Mom s of Faith Bible Study 14 6:30pm Church Council 15 9:30am FAA 16 17 10:00am Adult Bible Study 10:00am Collision 18 August Connection Newsletter Articles Due in Church Office 12:00 Red Cross Blood Drive 19 9:30am Staff Meeting 10:30am OPEN M Hot Lunch Service 7:00pm Prayer Ministry 8:00pm AA 20 6:30am Men s Bible Study - Bob Evans 9:30am Mom s of Faith Bible Study 21 Connection Newsletter Mailing 22 9:30am FAA 23 24 10:00am Adult Bible Study 10:00am Collision 31 25 7:00pm Stewardship Mtg 26 9:00am Kindergarten Open House 10:00am Kindergarten Parent Orientation 9:30am Staff Meeting 6:00pm Parish Arts Mtg 7:00pm Prayer Ministry 8:00pm AA 27 First Day of Kindergarten 1:00pm Brown Baggers 28 2:00pm Alzheimer Support Group 7:30pm CLT Meeting 29 30 EACH SUNDAY.Join Us! 9:00am Liturgical Worship 11:00am Contemporary Worship P A G E 1 1